Monday Spotlight: A local comic making his mark

NAME: A.J. DeMello

HOME BASE: From Moss Beach, currently living in Turlock

WHAT YOU DO: Stand-up comedian and show promoter

HOW YOU KNEW: I thought I was going to be on TV someday, getting paid to talk about professional football. Once I got to college and entered my second semester studying broadcasting at College of San Mateo, I discovered who I truly was – a comedian. I knew this when I was offered an extra-credit assignment and chose sketch comedy. Through improvisation, I made some sketches and got laughs for them. I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t just trying to be funny around people, I wanted to be funny in front of crowds of people. And as much as possible.

GO AHEAD, BRAG: I have performed at the World Famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles, as well as Tommy T’s and Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club in Sacramento. This year I was a nominee (or MAMAnee) for a Modesto Area Music Association Award for Best Comedy. This December marks the one-year anniversary of my Stand Up For Charity Comedy Show at the Queen Bean Coffeehouse in Modesto.

This year I have put together 13 shows, all for a different cause, each month. One of the more notables was the Stand Up For Charity Fire Relief show on Sept. 24, where I got comedian Jason Resler (from Comedy Central, Sirius XM, Pandora) to headline and we raised close to $200 for the Butte and Valley wildfire victims. That show I literally put together within a couple of days when I found out there was an event opening at the Queen Bean later in the month, and I’m glad I did.

CHECK YOU OUT: Next shows are 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Brainwash Cafe in San Francisco, 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Teazers in Fresno, 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Modesto Junior College East Campus Little Theatre, 8:20 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Queen Bean Coffeehouse (toy donations accepted for Marines Toys For Tots), and 7 p.m Dec. 17 at the Underground in San Francisco.

ONLINE: On Facebook at facebook.com/ajdhumorousfiend, on Twitter at @humorousfiend and writing at StuffDudesLike.com.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 12:11 PM with the headline "Monday Spotlight: A local comic making his mark."